The Sun. — London, England, 1818-01-27 00:00:00

BREWERS' MEETING. Yesterday a numerous and respectable Meeting was held in the Crown and Anchor Tavern, on the importato subject of the present Monopoly existing among the Brewers of the Metropolis. Sir ileNav kV1L7 , 01'.4, a Magistrate of the Coun ty of Middlesex, was called to the Chair. After expressiug his earnest wish that no political topics should be introduced, he proceeded as follows: — The subject upon u loch we are met is one ex tremely delicate, as well as essential, for it is to call upon those who are leading chat acters amongst the Brewers of the Metropolis, to account for con duct which to the community appears to be no . thing less than arbitrary ; that of advancin; the price of the commodity in which they deal, to the great prejudice of the lower orders, and with out assigning any cause for the increase. It will appear necessary to discuss the subject in such a manner as to prevent any prejudice ; and, on the other hand, the interests of the community are so concerned as to render it obligatory upon all who are acquainted with the subject, to enter into it with a feeling solely proceeding from a view to the public good. I ant long enough in the world to know that no greater honour and honesty exists among any people than among those who form the Collilnimity of this kingdom, and that if satisfactory grounds are shewn, I ant sure all the orders will submit to deprivation.—(Applause.)— But that a class of Gentlemen should, without saying a word about the matter, raise the price of a commodity in which the poor ate compelled to deal, is a circumstance not to be endmed. There is now a public opportunity of stating the grounds on which those Gentlemen are acting ; and if they prove that their increased demand upon the public is just, there will not be the slightest hesitation in acquiescing in so important a regulation.— (Applause.)—A halfpenny increased demand in a pot of beer does not affect those to whom I ad dress myself at this Meeting ; but to the labourer it is a serious circumstance, and it is our duty to see that those who are subject to the imposition, and are sufferers by it, shall not sink tinder ill treatment. It is true, those Gen tlemen have launched into speculations, and de posited capital, by which the people are bene fited ; they therefore have an iudisputable claim to a fair remuneration; but this.is a tittle at which it might reasonably be expected beer Should not be raised, for part of the duty has been taken off, the price of malt has been leducetl, and labour is paid in proportion to the badness .of the times.— It is under these circumstances necessary to ex hibit to the publicalie causes ofaliiieextraordinary demand. It those honourable Gentlemen wish to grow rich upon the vitals of their fellow men, I wish them joy of their riches, in which I would pot be a patticipator to the prejudice of .millions.—(Ap plause). Mr. DRURY (a brewer) would not have tres passed at all on the Meeting, had he not felt him self indispensibly bound-to do so, after what bad - just been stated front the-Chair. The title of the advertisement for calling the Meeting was such as he could not have expected from the liberal-mind ed Gentlemen who composed the Meeting. But the Brewers were to be conderntred by anticipation; they were to be accused, judged, and punished, without being heard. He hoped, however, to be able to vindicate the character of that body of meet from the imputation so inconsiderately cast upon them, that the rise of porter to sixpence a pot was the mere result of monopoly or exac tion on their parts, and not owing to other causes by which theywere influenced, and over which they could - have uo contrail! ; and he should not have stood forward this dayfor their vindication,if he were lout prepared to make out such statements in proof of his assertions as shuttlel chew the Brewers were lint deserving the blame thus precipitately cast no them. He would, therefore, state, that although the Brewer's price oh porter to the consumer w a s sixpence oer pot, the price the Brewer received was but fourpence halfpenny. There was a duty of ten shillings per barrel on the beer, which amounted to 13-16ths of a Id. per pot, then the Malt duty amounted to- 7- l6ths of a pettily per pot. There was a heavy duty on foreign Hops, which amounted to a farthing, or .1-16111. of a Lenny on each pot of beer, all which deducted trout the price received by the Brewer front the. rablican (the latter receiving a profit of lid. per pot). left the Brewer but threepence per .pot for Barley, flops, expellees of manufacturing the Beer, and the Brewers' profit, the items above enamerated making with the 3 , 1. the present price of Perrier. But besides the taxes on ,Malt and flops, the Brewer had a variety of other Taxes to pay, which greatly diminished his profits--7as the li cense for his brewing pan, and various eh arges tinder the head of taxes ; and while the profit allowed by the Brewer to the Victualler was awenty-five per cent. on his retail prices, yet. great as that might seem, he was convinced ..that Victuallers, who wete a most industrious body of men, could scarcely make a livelihood from this profit,..when all their other heavy expences were deducted. He would also endeavour to set-the Chairman right in what he had stated respecting the reduction said to have taken place in the article of Malt. Pre- sious to the first rise on porter, the malt was raised from 345. Bd_ to 655. the quarter ; and now the average pi ice is from 80s. to 86s. the quarter; so that so far front a reduction, there. was an evi dent increase on the price. It was observed, also, that Government hadAnken the. War Duty off the Malt, merely to put the amount into the pockets of the Brewers ; whereas the fact was, that though the reduction of the War Duty brought Malt down to 655. the quarter, on the I 6tli January, when it ended, yet the Milt had since risen to ,5/. per quarter ; so that the high pi ices of materials, and heavy taxes, were the true cause of the rise . on• Beer, and not any fault of the Brewers. Mr. BEAUMONT next addressed the 111eeting. He contended, that from a fair comparison Of the prices of the present period, compared with this tittle twelvetnonth, there was a fall of 111.. 2d. per barrel in the expellee of materials ; and the con sequence was, the Brewer, instead of lowering, increased the commodity ss. per barrel. At pre -3v4:lltergoTarlllenty of capital in the market, *, ! .4,CTlVNipt.gien had any room for the ll employ- ( ~ ' '., ..,woald be glad to do so. They g-.l' o ..ulfre" 4 :_li y:I "taifc ontribute their capital, if , tt ....m. , they could be alloWed to share the prof's of the Brewers, or they would be disposed to lenr4 it to minor Brewers, but there could be no advantage in doing so. Supposing that men were now to lay out their capital in a brewery, how were the public to get their beer / Retailers of the article were necessary, and where were they to he found ? Al! the shops for retailing beer were in the bands of the present Brewers—(Hear !)—or they were at least under their influence. About 14 years back, when the Brewers discovered a greater spirit of rapacity than now, their conduct drew down upon them the utmost execration. They raised the price of the article from sd. to 0(1. — The circumstance made much noise at the time, and an attempt was made, in consequence, to es tablish several new Breweries, upon the principle of competition ; the effect was to reduce the price from (d. to sd. The Golden-lane Brewery then went on for some time, to the advantage of the pub ; but the difficulty the proprietors found was, to procure persons to sell their beer. They applied for licenses, but in vain. Though they had been the cause of reducinc: the price, thong!) they had compelled the Brewers to make it of ft better quality, still they never were permitted to open a house. It was true, that they bought three houses ; but in a very short time they lost the licences of two. The reason alledged by the publicans for not dealing with the Golden-lane Establishment was, that the Proprietors could not protect thi , m, and therefore they must deal only with Brewers who had the power of defending theM. The Speaker then read a statement he had prepared on the subject, in which, atter adverting to the complaints often made by Brewers, of the little profit resulting from their trade, he says, at cer tain times when the market has run high, they (in their humane consideration for the condition of the poor) forbore to arise the price of beer, as they might justifiably have done; they made no profit ; they even suffered loss ; anti that their trade at those times was not worth following : but when they did determine on the step, at all times so reluctantly taken by them,of raising the price, they would not themselves fix a losing price—for a loss of a shilling or two per barrel, continued for years upon their great returns, would be ruinous.—Re ferring to the prices per barrel, just quoted, and which are seen to be, in one case, a little under the market price, of the nominal quantity of the nominal material, and, in other cases, a little above it, we may come to an inference, that the market price of the nominal quantities, and of the duty, is sufficient for the selling price of the ma nufactured article, as it has been made of late years. Let them have 3s. and they will. then have more than they had in several years, viz. in 1799, in 1800, in 1810, in 1812, and in 1813. It will then follow, that the surplus difference beyond such 3s. will be an extra profit to the Brewer, stmless indeed be has proportionably added to the strength of his beer, but the surplus difference of the selling price of the beer over that of the material has been in some years immense, 18s. and 20s. and upwards, and yet, beer gene rally speaking, for the last fifteen or twenty years, hat run on in a vapid stream, without any mate rial variation. The excess of surplus then has been an excess of profit to the Brewer, and when we consider the immense returns in this trade, that 100,000 barrels in a year is by no means equal to the quantity brewed by the principal houses— that in such a trade an advance of only five shillings a barrel is equal to 25,0001. and that the advance in some years has been as much be yond what according to their own sheering and prices of their own fixing is a sufficient profit, we may readily account for the princely fortunes which have been made in this trade in a short time, and the justice of the complaints of the la bourin„,,, classes, at whose expellee such fortunes are made. After a long review of the prices of beer for the last 20 years, he contended that t the public had been continually injured by the Brewers, but he did not mean any pet sonal disrespect, for he knew many of them were in private life most amiable individuals. It was the system he reprobated, by which Magistrates assumed the privilege of saying who should 'or,vilio should not be allowed to sell beer. In the reign of Ed ward the Sixth, an Act bad passed against Brewers combining to raise their 'beer, every such offence being punishable with the pillory, the loss of an ear, and perpetual infamy. Things were altered now, however, for during the last 30 years, there being a vast increase of new houses in the metro polis, the Brewers were able to get possession of almost all the houses ; and then the munoply began to be completed ; so that now the whole trade of brewing was in the hands of eleven great Brewers. By perseverance the public would, however, recover their rights, especially by the help of the Free Press, which we happily now enjoyed. fie concluded by mov ing a serious of Resolutions. Mr. TH.Locit seconded the Resolutions. The only security the country could haVe fUr a 'good article was by a fair competition in the market, for by the very statement made by a former speaker, it would appear the publican bad 25 per cent. and the brewer 30, therefore the poor labourer paid 100 for what was only worth 45. The Brewers had. laid . out a great capital in purchasing houses, ,but were the labourers' pockets to be picked to pay for these, or would the houses he bought if the Brewer did not see how 30 per cent. could be got out of them ? Would any man of common sense say that if the trade was open the public would be obliged to drink the Poisonous stuff which they now di . d? Mr. GALE JONES then addressed the Meeting at great length. He certainly could not consider the man acted honourably who would avail himself of public calamity to raise the price of his article. the situation of the poor publican was dephira hle, and infinitely worse than that of the feudal vassal, inasmuch as he was every moment liable to be turned out of his employment at the caprice of the Brewer, while his accuser was unknown, and his only crime has been his refusal to , sell any more of the deleterious chemical stuff. Much had been latterly said in public about disaffection and rebellion, and he would only say, that the drinking of this porter had produced, he was sure, much intestine commotion (laughter). 1-le hoped to have . seen more of time Brewers present, and expected that, like the Forty Thieves, they would have quitted their casks. He theta alluded to the well known circumstance of the Canterbury ale, awl the singular conduct pursued by the very Rev. the Dean. Atter some observations on the dan get ous nature of the beer, and its bad effects on the public health, ha concluded by supporting the Resolutions. Mr. SCHULTES spoke on the same side. Mr. HOLMES (a Brewer) was confident that were some application made to Parliament for an alteration in the licensing system, there would be no doubt of its meeting the support of the re spectable Brewers. He contended the public houses had not been originally purchased by these persons, for, on the contrary, that bad been done by the low Brewer, who did so dispose of his beer. Barclay and Whitbread's houses had by no means so great a share in the public-houses as was supposed, for he could say, that no persons were more desirous than they for a fair compe tition. After some further discussion between Messrs. Beaumont, Girdler (a Magistrate), But chell, &c. the Resolutions were agreed to unanimously, ausl a Uommittee appointed for the purpose of adopt ing some general measures for redress. FRENCH PAPERS. CHAMBER OF PEERS, JAN. 22. The discussion was resumed on the Projet re specting the Press: Two new speakers were heard, and also Count Simeon, Commissaire du Roi, who defended the Projet. The discussion was closed, and the amendments were taken into consideration. A member proposed to limit the duration to the end of the next Session, which was got rid of by the previous question. Seven Articles were agreed to. On article Eight, besides the Amendment proposed by the Chamber of Deputies, a new proposition was made, modifi catory of that Amendment.' This proposition, after a long debate, in which the Keeper of the Seals, the Minister of General Police, and the Rep . orter of the Committee were beard, was also got rid of. The Chamber, respecting this latter object, voted bvAPpilNoniinal, the number of voters was 152, reduced to 151 by the nullity of a Bulletin. Eighty voted for the rejection of the proposition. The discussion was adjourned till to-morrow. CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, JAN. 22. The discussion of the Projet respecting Re cruitment was resumed. M. de Boischaisean proposed an Amendment to the effect of applying voluntary enlistment to all the corps of the army. M. Beugnot took an historical review of the modes of recruiting the French Army since the commencement of the Monarchy, and contended against voluntary enlistment as insufficient. He supported the proposition for an annual vote with regard to the amount of military force, and with this qualification, after a very long speech, he con• chided by supporting the Projet. M. Benoit opposed the Projet, on the same grounds as M. de Villele. M. Courvoisier spoke in favour of the Projet, but reserved himself to suggest some amend ments.—The discussion was adjourned till to morrow. PARIS, JAW. 25.—Accounts have been received of a very violent .hock of a earthquake having been telt on the 13th ult. at half-past ten iu. the 'Doming, at Cataro. There were also very vio lent shocks in the territory of the Montenegrins. The King held A Council of Ministers on Wed nesday, which sat from one o'clock till four. Five per Cents. Thursday, GM. 95c. VIENNA, JAN . . 12.—Our Sovereign, it is said, proposel to t ake a journey to Dalmatia next spring. The arrangement of it will probably depend upon the question as to the interview of the Emperor With the. Sovereigns of Russia and Prussia. It is known here that the Emperor of Russia intends to proceed to Odessa next month, and proposes to he at Warsaw in April. It is said that the Cabi net of London has communicated to our Court notifications of the highest political interest with regard to the affairs of Spanish America. THE LOYAL ORANGE INSTITUTION OF ENGLAND. The following ADDRESS of CONDOLENCE W 33 presented to the PRINCE RECENT by the Loyal Orange Institution of England : To his Royal Highness GEORGE. Prince of Wales, Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Itutoble Address of the Members of the Loyal Orange Institution, eusembled pursuant to Notice, from their Grand Master, at Manchestei% May it please your Royal. Highness, We, His Majesty's most faithful and devoted S'ubjects, the Members of tire Loyal Orange Institution of England, with Hearts deeply penetrated with unaffected Grief, humbly beg Leave to offer to your Royal Highness our sincere Condolence upon a recent Catastrophe, which has at once bereaved your Royal Highness of au only religious, and altogether accom plished Child; an exemplary Husband of his chief Pride; and the whole British Empire of her on Whom their Hopes and Affections were ardently fixed. Firmly attached to the Protestant Succession in your Royal Highness's illustrious House, we had fondly anticipated the most glorious Results from the happy Union of your beloved Daughter with a brave and virtuous Prince; and that it would have pleased the Almighty long to continue, through her, the uninterrupted Succession to the Crown: by the inscrutable Decree of Heaven, these pleasing Prospects have been blight ed, and we are suddenly plunged into the utmost Disappoint inent and Woe, and the bright Star which lately cheered our Horizon has unexpectedly vanished. Under a Visitation so aftlictiog, we trust your Royal High ness will derive that genuine Consolation which Religion only can impart, and which enabled her, whose Loss we now mourn, with pions Itesignation to exclaim, " the Will of God be done." Permit us to assure your Royal Highness of our firm and unalterable attachment to )•ur Royal Highness's Person and Government, which we arc at all Tithes ready to defend and maintain. At the Request and on Behalf of the Meeting, this 9tb Day of December, 1817. SAMUEL TAYLOR, Grand Master. This Address was transmitted by Lord KIINYON to L or d Viscount SIDMoUTI, and Was most graciously received by the Pions REGENT, THEATRICAL REGISTER. Performed Lott Night. THEATRE ROTAS, DauRT-LANE.--ilacalet trarolet, 14f ; , Kean; Ophelia, Miss Cubitt. Atter which, Harlequin TIIEATItg ROYAL, COVIENT-GARDEN.—The Point of HOV I V Chevalier de St. Franc, Mr. Young; Bertha, Miss o'. o ` e ,' d After which, Binnbastes Furiozo. To which was Ad° Harlequin ulliver. MAILS. a n d ARRIVED-1 Dublin, 1 Waterford. Dut —2 GLICIMSIe Jersey, Holland, 6 Liottenburgb, 1 Malta, 1 Fr an" S Haniburgh. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS VAY AT IrwE;LYE 4.:C1.0C1C. 404 Bank Stock 4clOf I Dank Lung Ann. ....... ••• 3 per Cent. Red.....60/1 401 India Bonds... totis. 3 per Cent. Cons. .79111 Excb. Bills 5 per Cent. Ann.. ' . 1 94 0.1 1 1 4 /1 • Cons. ton A ccount 1 ... 5' ::7 2'9;6 ; 4 per Cents. . 441 i HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-111ORRO VI :'e. 'Morning, 43 minutes after 5. I Eveniug, 7 minutes after •rtiL SUN. BOLEM EALSUM 11 DEAT LONDON, - TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1818. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT., This day the two Houses of Parliament 51 ' sembled, pursuant to the last prorogation. At three o'clock the LORD CHANCELS- a nd the other Lords Commissioners took their in trout of the Throne in the House of Lords. The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod vi ti sent to the house of Commons, to require their . . attendance. Shortly afterwards, the SPEAKECR,VICCOTHP°I —niI by a great number of Members, came t o the 1 3 s rt when the Commission having been read, the Ii" CHANCELLOR, in pursuance of the I'RLNCE 13.11. GENT'S Commands, read the Speech, of which following is a correct outline : Tits SPEECH, of course, begins in the cdf. toulary made of Addre,s : My Lords and Gentlemen, After noticing the continued Indispositiog el his MAJESTY, a subject naturally exciting t b. regret of the Nation, the Speech proceeds to ads vert to that deplorable Calamity which prevented his Royal Highness the PRitics REGENT front deli* vering it in person. It expresses the consoloti ° "' however, which his Royal Highness had received from the universal and heartfelt sympsalY °I. all Classes of the People. It proceeds then to state, that assurances bs" been received from the Foreign Powers of their friendly disposition, and their desire to tnitinl' ais d the general tranquillity, so happily restore throughout Europe. The next topic relates to the Improvement Ins' nifested in every branch of our Domestic Indus. try, and in the state of Public Credit, a satisDic' tory and most decisive proof that the lii i ' culties under which the Country laboured during the foregoing year, were principally to " attributed to temporary causes. Such an int. portant change, it is observed, had withdraw n from the Disaffected the chief means by wilich they attempted to excite such discontent through° ip Out a part of the Country, as led to t 1 IS' mented Consequences of Insurrection and Treas°" ; but his Royal Highness expresses his full COO 6. Bence that the tranquil State to which the ginger dom is now restored will, by the persevering 814' gilance and Firmness of the Magistracy, and good Sense of the great Body of the People, 0/ maintained and effectually► secured against all A: tempts that might otherwise be made by the eirii minded to excite future Disturbances and Coc° motions. That part of the Speech which is peculia7ls addressed to the Gentlemen of the House of Commons, Congratulates them on the progressive Nan. provement of the most interesting and impert' ant Branches of the Revenue, and recommends dig State of the Public Income to their continued OS' unremitted attention, as a subject of essersltil consequence. The Speech then generally addresses the 114 0 1. bens of both Houses of Parliament, and info them, That Treaties respecting the Abolition of 1 " Slave Trade have been concluded with Spain .and Portugal, at which it was the earnest El ifielve